Doctor Who's 2024 Christmas Special, titled "Joy to the World," draws viewers back to its mix of heartwarming stories and whimsical sci-fi adventure, but this year it also stirs contemplation about loneliness and personal connection amid the festive cheer.
For many, Doctor Who has become synonymous with British Christmas traditions, blending the festive spirit with time-traveling escapades. This year's offering showcases Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor embarking on a unique quest framed around the emotional weight of solitude. The plot centers on Joy Almondo, played by Nicola Coughlan, who checks herself into a rather unremarkable hotel room, thought to be dreary but still priced at £300 per night. Joy's quirky interactions with the environment, including conversations with an unsuspected fly, set the scene for the whimsical yet poignant narrative.
Meanwhile, the Doctor finds himself at the Time Hotel, located far off in the future, where he stumbles upon unusual occurrences, including witnessing someone seemingly under mind control. His investigative curiosity propels him to burst through the locked door to join Joy, thereby initiating Ashby Tavern's peculiar adventure, which transports them through time from Hillary Clinton's Everest ascent to dinosaurs and other historical echoes.
The international partnership formed between Disney and the BBC has evidently uplifted production quality, achieving exquisitely crafted CGI, unlike earlier installments. No longer do we see men dressed as dinosaurs; instead, the spectacle delivers fully-realized reptilian creatures. Despite the visual extravagance, some critics have pointed out the writing's failure to achieve internal logic, echoing frustrations found within other franchises under Disney's umbrella.
Through this special, acclaimed writer Steven Moffat examines common threads tying together the characters' journeys of isolation, particularly relevant due to recent global pandemic experiences. Joy’s backstory reveals heart-wrenching decisions resulting from Covid restrictions—a poignant reflection of sacrifice and familial loss. Her sense of isolation mirrors the Doctor’s eternal struggle with his loneliness as traveling through time and space results inevitably in the departure of companions.
"You have to be mysterious all the time... that's why everyone leaves you, that's why you are always alone!" the Doctor expresses, underscoring both his emotional depth and the realization of his character's solitude. The ethos of connection persists through his interactions with other characters, like Anita, the hotel’s manager, adding layers to the narrative. Their shared experiences, playing board games and supportive conversations, offer relief from their realities of isolation.
Among the more surprising aspects of the episode is the return of Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), drawing fans' attention as they reminisce about her past connection to the Doctor and her impact on the series. Ruby's unexpected cameo alludes to future developments, gifting fans moments of nostalgia and anticipation for upcoming storylines. Upon her fleeting appearance, audiences are reminded of the emotional stakes involved—a sentiment reciprocated by joy and wistfulness intertwined. Millie Gibson noted, "It's the rare case where you see the companion after the Doctor... it's such a beautiful and clever thing to do." This adds complexity to the Doctor's character arc, as he grapples with things left unsaid and relationships lost, preserving the essence of human longing encapsulated within their exchanges.
Despite receiving critiques, many reviews appreciate the visual spectacle and the underlying themes the special tackled. The intricacies of loneliness, loss, and the need for connection are all represented, capturing narratives relevant to people's lived experiences over the past year. Whilst some moments veered toward mawkishness, the crowd-pleaser earned respect for dealing with topics often deemed too earnest for holiday viewing.
The debate surrounding Moffat's legacy surfaces too as opinions clash over whether his episode rides on clever callback nods or merely distracts viewers with loose conceptual threads. Joy's conversation with the Doctor asking if explanations ever help people serves almost as meta-commentary, confronting the recurring design themes that have endured throughout the series.
Ending on seemingly tragic notes, the Doctor's musings on the festive season resonate with larger familial connections made challenging by pandemic realities. Tackling human emotions within the show’s fractured narrative provides immediate relatability. Joy's closing fate leaves viewers pondering their own struggles with isolation, influenced by the absence of shared holiday traditions.
Regardless of the mixed reviews, "Joy to the World" serves as noteworthy Christmas entertainment, sparking generous reflections from viewers. Doctor Who continues to tread paths of enduring appeal, melding heartfelt moments and ballsy adventures, offering both escapes and relatability. The 15th Doctor, alongside new companions and old favorites, hints at exciting developments on the horizon, as Doctor Who promises its return to BBC One and iPlayer, asserting its rightful place within the annual festive programming.